Charging support device

ABSTRACT

A charging support device is used in charging a battery of a vehicle having a power reception unit on a bottom surface of the vehicle with power supplied from a power transmission device located outside the vehicle. The charging support device includes a controller that generates an overhead view image that displays a vehicle image of the vehicle and an image of a surrounding area of the vehicle captured by a camera. The controller displays, in the overhead view image, (i) a first mark indicating a position of the power reception unit and (ii) a second mark indicating a position of the power transmission device. The controller varies a color or a size of the second mark in a case where a positional relationship between the position of the power reception unit and the position of the power transmission device achieves a predetermined charging efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology for supporting charging.

Description of the Background Art

As an electric vehicle (EV) that runs by an electric motor or a plug-inhybrid vehicle (PHV) that runs by the combination of an electric motorand a gasoline engine has come into wide use, a technology for supplyinga power to a battery that accumulates a power for operating the vehiclein a non-contact manner has been developed. As a method of supplying thepower in the non-contact manner, there is a method of arranging a powertransmission coil of a power transmission unit and a power receptioncoil of a vehicle so as to face each other in a non-contact state andsupplying a power by using the principle of electromagnetic induction ormagnetic resonance (for example, JP 2014-100924 A and JP 2004-114879 A).

As the non-contact charging system that charges the vehicle, a method ofcharging the vehicle in a non-contact manner by respectively providingpower transmission units (charging pads) in parking spaces within aparking lot and supplying a power to the vehicle parked in the parkingspace is generally used. There is a technology capable of displaying anoverhead view image generated from an image acquired using a cameraprovided at the vehicle on a display within the vehicle and checking aposition of the power transmission unit and a position of the vehicle ina case where the vehicle is parked in the parking space in such anon-contact charging system.

However, it is difficult to determine whether or not the position of thepower transmission unit with respect to the vehicle is a positionappropriate for charging in such a non-contact charging system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a charging supportdevice is used in charging a battery of a vehicle having a powerreception unit on a bottom surface of the vehicle with power suppliedfrom a power transmission device located outside the vehicle. Thecharging support device includes a controller that generates an overheadview image that displays a vehicle image of the vehicle and an image ofa surrounding area of the vehicle captured by a camera. The controllerdisplays, in the overhead view image, (i) a first mark indicating aposition of the power reception unit and (ii) a second mark indicating aposition of the power transmission device. The controller varies a coloror a size of the second mark in a case where a positional relationshipbetween the position of the power reception unit and the position of thepower transmission device achieves a predetermined charging efficiency.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily determine whether or not theposition of the power transmission device with respect to the vehicle isappropriate in the charging of the vehicle using a non-contact chargingsystem.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a charging supportdevice is used in charging a battery of a vehicle having a powerreception unit located on a bottom surface of the vehicle with powersupplied from a power transmission device located outside the vehicle.The charging support device includes a controller that generates anoverhead view image that displays a vehicle image of the vehicle and animage of a surrounding area of the vehicle captured by a camera. Thecontroller displays, in the overhead view image, (i) a first markindicating a position of the power reception unit and (ii) a second markindicating a position of the power transmission device. The controllervaries a color or a size of at least one of the first and second marksin a case where a positional relationship between the position of thepower reception unit and the position of the power transmission deviceachieves a predetermined charging efficiency.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily determine whether or not theposition of the power transmission device with respect to the vehicle isappropriate in the charging of the vehicle using a non-contact chargingsystem.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide atechnology capable of easily determining whether or not a position of apower transmission device with respect to a vehicle is appropriate inthe charging of the vehicle using a non-contact charging system.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a non-contactcharging system including a charging support device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of aninformation processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of an operation flow ofcharging supporting using the charging support device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of the operation flow ofcharging supporting using the charging support device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of an overhead view imagedisplayed on an output unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 2.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a second example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 2.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a first example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 4.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a second example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 4.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a third example of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to thedrawings. The configuration of the embodiment is merely an example, andthe configuration of the invention is not limited to a specificconfiguration of the disclosed embodiment. The specific configurationcorresponding to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted when theinvention is implemented.

Embodiment Configuration Example

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a non-contactcharging system including a charging support device according to thepresent embodiment. A non-contact charging system 1 shown in FIG. 1includes a vehicle 100 driven by an electric motor and a powertransmission device 200. For example, the vehicle 100 is an electricvehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 100 includes the chargingsupport device 10, a power reception unit 20, an output unit 30, animaging unit 40, and a vehicle unit 50. In a case where the vehicle 100is charged by the power transmission device 200, the charging supportdevice 10 outputs information indicating whether or not a position ofthe vehicle 100 is appropriate to a driver of the vehicle 100. Thecharging support device 10 includes a controller 11, an informationacquirer 12, and an image recognizer 13. The vehicle 100 may charge abattery of the vehicle 100 in a case where the power reception unit 20of the vehicle 100 approaches the power transmission device 200. Forexample, the power transmission device 200 is provided on a road surfaceof a parking space. The power transmission device 200 may be provided soas to be buried in the road surface of the parking space.

The controller 11 is a control unit that performs arithmetic processingfor supporting the charging using the power transmission device 200. Thecontroller 11 acquires information regarding the vehicle 100 on whichthe charging support device 10 is mounted by the information acquirer12. The controller 11 acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 40provided toward the outside of the vehicle 100 by the image recognizer13. The controller 11 outputs information for supporting the charging ofthe vehicle 100 through the output unit 30. The controller 11, theinformation acquirer 12, and the image recognizer 13 may be integrallyoperated as one controller.

The information acquirer 12 acquires information such as a state of thevehicle on which the charging support device 10 is mounted from thevehicle unit 50. For example, the information acquirer 12 acquires ashift lever position from a shift lever, a vehicle speed from a vehiclespeed sensor, a vehicle acceleration from an acceleration sensor, abrake pressure from a brake, a parking brake state from a parking brake,a detection situation such as a target from a radar ECU, and a steeringangle from a handle. The information items acquired by the informationacquirer 12 are not limited thereto. The information acquirer 12 may beconnected to the controller of the vehicle 100, and may acquire theinformation items. The information acquirer 12 stores the acquiredinformation in a storage unit.

The image recognizer 13 acquires an image captured by the imaging unit40 provided toward the outside of the vehicle 100. A plurality ofimaging units 40 may be connected to the image recognizer 13. The imagerecognizer 13 may generate an image including a surrounding area of thevehicle 100 which is acquired by viewing the vehicle and the surroundingarea of the vehicle in a direction of the vehicle 100 from above thevehicle 100 in overhead view, from the image captured by the imagingunit 40. The image recognizer 13 may generate an image by performingpredetermined image processing such as distortion correction, trimming,or contrast changing on a captured image.

The power reception unit 20 includes a power reception coil and abattery. The power reception unit receives a power supplied from thepower transmission device 200 by using the coil, and charges the batterywith the received power. The battery is used as an energy supply sourcethat drives the electric motor of the vehicle 100. The power receptionunit 20 may include a communication unit that communicates with thepower transmission device 200. For example, a surface perpendicular to awinding axis of the power reception coil is parallel to the ground. Aposition of the power reception unit 20 in the vehicle 100 is previouslystored in the storage unit.

The output unit 30 outputs the image captured by the imaging unit 40 orthe image generated by the controller 11. The output unit 30 is adisplay or a speaker. A display of a car navigation system mounted onthe vehicle 100 may be used as the output unit 30. The display isprovided in a position in which the display is able to be visuallyperceived from the driver's seat of the vehicle 100.

For example, the imaging unit 40 is a camera including a fisheye lensand a wide-angle lens. The imaging unit 40 is provided toward theoutside of the vehicle 100. The imaging unit 40 may include a pluralityof cameras. In the present embodiment, four cameras are provided intotal at the vehicle 100 on front, rear, left, and right sides of thevehicle 100.

The vehicle unit 50 includes the constituent units of the vehicle 100.For example, the vehicle unit 50 includes the shift lever, the vehiclespeed sensor, the acceleration sensor, the handle, the brake, theparking brake, the radar ECU, a temperature sensor, a microphone, and acamera. The shift lever is a lever that changes gears of the vehicle.For example, in a case where a position of a shift lever 110 is “R(reverse)”, the vehicle is reversed. The radar ECU is an electriccontrol unit (ECU) that detects the target in the surrounding area ofthe vehicle, and calculates a distance between the target in thesurrounding area of the vehicle and the vehicle. The radar ECUcalculates the distance between the vehicle and the target by usingmicrowaves or the image captured by the imaging unit 40. The vehiclespeed sensor is a sensor that detects a running speed of the vehicle.For example, the vehicle speed sensor detects a vehicle speed by using arotational angle of a tire or a radius of the tire, and outputs thedetected vehicle speed. The acceleration sensor is a sensor that detectsan acceleration of the vehicle, and outputs the detected acceleration.

The power transmission device 200 includes a power transmission coil, anamplifier, a communication unit, and a control unit. The powertransmission device 200 supplies a power to the vehicle 100 includingthe power reception unit 20 through the power transmission coil. Asurface perpendicular to a winding axis of the power transmission coilis parallel to the ground. In a case where a position of the powertransmission coil of the power transmission device 200 and a position ofthe power reception coil of the power reception unit 20 of the vehicle100 are not appropriate, charging efficiency is reduced. In order toefficiently perform charging, it is necessary to appropriately set theposition of the power transmission coil of the power transmission device200 and the position of the power reception coil of the power receptionunit 20 of the vehicle 100. For example, in a case where the center ofthe power transmission coil of the power transmission device 200 and thecenter of the power reception coil of the power reception unit 20 of thevehicle 100 match each other in overhead view from the information ofthe vehicle 100, charging efficiency is the highest. The longer thedistance between the central position of the power transmission coil andthe central position of the power reception coil is, the lower powerreception efficiency is.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of aninformation processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus 90shown in FIG. 2 has the same configuration as that of a generalcomputer. The charging support device 10 is realized by using theinformation processing apparatus 90 shown in FIG. 2. The informationprocessing apparatus 90 of FIG. 2 includes a processor 91, a memory 92,a storage 93, an input unit 94, an output unit 95, and a communicationcontroller 96. These units are connected through a bus. The memory 92and the storage 93 are computer-readable recording media. A hardwareconfiguration of the information processing apparatus is not limited tothe example shown in FIG. 2, and the constituent elements may beappropriately omitted, replaced, and added.

The processor 91 loads the program stored in a recording medium into awork area of the memory 92, and executes the loaded program.Accordingly, the constituent units are controlled by executing theprogram, and thus, the information processing apparatus 90 may realize afunction corresponding to a predetermined purpose.

The processor 91 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or adigital signal processor (DSP).

The memory 92 includes, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or aread only memory (ROM). The memory 92 is also called a main storagedevice.

The storage 93 is, for example, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM) ora Hard disk drive (HDD). The storage 93 may include a removable medium,that is, a portable recording medium. The removable medium is, forexample, a universal serial bus (USB) memory or a disc recording mediumsuch as a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD). Thestorage 93 is also called a secondary storage device.

The storage 93 stores various programs, various data items, and varioustables which are used in the information processing apparatus 90 in therecording medium in a readable and writable manner. An operating system(OS), various programs, and various tables are stored in the storage 93.Information items stored in the storage 93 may be stored in the memory92. The information items stored in the memory 92 may be stored in thestorage 93.

The operating system is software that mediates between software andhardware, manages memory spaces, manages files, and manages processes ortasks. The operating system includes a communication interface. Thecommunication interface is a program that exchanges data with anotherexternal device connected through the communication controller 96. Theexternal device includes, for example, another information processingapparatus and an external storage device.

The input unit 94 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, a wirelessremote controller, and a touch panel. The input unit 94 may include aninput device such as a camera that receives videos or images or an inputdevice such as a microphone that receives voice.

The output unit 95 includes a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), an electroluminescence (EL) panel, a cathode ray tube(CRT) display, or a plasma display panel (PDP), and an output devicesuch as a printer. The output unit 95 may include an output device suchas a speaker that outputs voice.

The communication controller 96 is connected to other devices, andcontrols communication between the information processing apparatus 90and other devices. The communication controller 96 is, for example, alocal area network (LAN) interface board, a wireless communicationcircuit that performs wireless communication, or a communication circuitthat performs wired communication. The LAN interface board or thewireless communication circuit is connected to a network such as theInternet.

Operation Example

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of an operation flow ofcharging support using the charging support device. “A”, “B”, “C” ofFIG. 3 are connected to “A”, “B”, and “C” of FIG. 4, respectively. Theoperation flow of FIGS. 3 and 4 is an operation flow performed in a casewhere a power is supplied to the charging support device 10 from thevehicle 100 on which the charging support device 10 is mounted. In acase where a driving source of the vehicle 100 is in an activationstate, for example, a system power supply is turned on, the operationflow of FIGS. 3 and 4 is started.

In S101, the information acquirer 12 of the charging support device 10acquires a vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 by the vehicle speed sensorof the vehicle unit 50. The controller 11 determines whether or not thevehicle speed of the vehicle 100 acquired by the information acquirer 12is equal to or less than a predetermined speed. In this example, thespeed which is less than the predetermined speed is a speed when it isconsidered that the vehicle 100 is about to be parked in a parkingspace. The predetermined speed is, for example, 11 km/h. In a case wherethe vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 is less than the predeterminedspeed (S101: YES), the process proceeds to S102. In a case where thevehicle speed of the vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than thepredetermined speed (S101: NO), the process proceeds to S110.

In S102, the image recognizer 13 of the charging support device 10acquires the image captured by the imaging unit 40. Since the imagingunit 40 is provided toward the outside of the vehicle 100, the imagingunit 40 captures a surrounding image of the vehicle 100. The imagerecognizer 13 generates an overhead view image based on the surroundingimage of the vehicle 100 captured by the imaging unit 40. The overheadview image is an image acquired by viewing the vehicle and thesurrounding area of the vehicle from above the vehicle 100 in thedirection of the vehicle 100. For example, an image acquired bycapturing the vehicle 100 from above which is previously stored in thestorage unit of the vehicle 100 is used as an image of the vehicle 100on the overhead view image. The controller 11 displays the overhead viewimage generated by the image recognizer 13 on the display of the outputunit 30. The display of the output unit 30 displays the overhead viewimage generated by the image recognizer 13. A user (driver) of thevehicle 100 may recognize a situation of the surrounding area of thevehicle 100 by seeing the overhead view image displayed on the display.The overhead view image may use the images captured by the imaging units40 attached to the front and rear sides of the vehicle 100. The reasonis that the vehicle 100 is not able to move upwards even though thepower transmission device 200 is present in a horizontal direction sincethe vehicle 100 moves forward or rearwards but does not move in thehorizontal direction.

In S103, the controller 11 detects obstacles on the surrounding image ofthe vehicle 100 captured by the imaging unit 40. For example, theobstacles are objects other than the vehicle 100 present on a plane (aroad surface or a ground surface) formed by four bottom surfaces oftires of the vehicle 100. The obstacle may include the powertransmission device 200. The controller 11 detects the obstacles in thesurrounding area of the vehicle 100 through a plurality of camera imagesor pattern matching. The controller 11 may detect the obstacles presentin the surrounding area of the vehicle 100 by using the sensor includedin the vehicle 100.

In S104, the controller 11 determines whether or not the obstacles aredetected in S103. In a case where the obstacles are not detected (S104:NO), the process proceeds to S110. The case where the obstacle is notdetected means that the power transmission device 200 is not alsodetected. In a case where the obstacles are detected (S104: YES), theprocess proceeds to S105. The case where the obstacle is detected meansthat the power transmission device 200 is likely to be detected.

In S105, the controller 11 detects positions of the obstacles detectedin S103. The controller 11 detects the positions of the obstacles fromcoordinates of the obstacles on the image. For example, the controller11 detects the position of the obstacle as a relative three-dimensionalposition using the vehicle 100 as a reference. The controller 11 maydetect a shape of the obstacle (which may be a mark indicating the powertransmission device) together with the position, and may store theposition and shape of the obstacle in the storage unit.

In S106, the controller 11 determines whether or not at least a part ofthe obstacle is hidden under the vehicle 100 on the overhead view image.The controller 11 compares each obstacle on the currently generatedoverhead view image with each obstacle on the previously generatedoverhead view image, and determines whether or not at least a part ofthe obstacle of which the entire part is seen on the previouslygenerated overhead view image is hidden under the vehicle 100 on thecurrently generated overhead view image. The determination of whether ornot at least a part of the obstacle is hidden under the vehicle 100 maybe performed based on previously prepared vehicle size information, ormay be performed by adding a capturing blind spot area in thesurrounding area of the vehicle when the image is generated. Thecontroller 11 determines whether or not at least a part of the obstacleis hidden under the vehicle 100 based on the position or shape of theobstacle, the speed or the steering angle of the vehicle 100 acquired bythe information acquirer 12, and a time difference in a capturing timebetween the previously generated overhead view image and the currentlygenerated overhead view image. In a case where at least a part of theobstacle is hidden under the vehicle 100 (S106: YES), the processproceeds to S107. In a case where the obstacle is not hidden under thevehicle 100 (S106: NO), the process proceeds to S110.

In S107, the controller 11 determines whether or not the obstacle ofwhich at least a part is hidden under the vehicle 100 is the powertransmission device 200. The controller 11 determines whether or not theobstacle of which at least a part is hidden under the vehicle is thepower transmission device 200 (charging pad) based on the color or shapeof the obstacle on the overhead view image through the known patternmatching. For example, an image of the power transmission device 200 isstored in the storage unit. In a case where the obstacle of which atleast a part is hidden under the vehicle 100 is the power transmissiondevice 200 (S107: YES), the process proceeds to S108. In a case wherethe obstacle of which at least a part is hidden under the vehicle 100 isnot the power transmission device 200 (S107: NO), the process proceedsto S110.

In S108, the controller 11 displays the image of the obstacle (powertransmission device 200) of which at least a part is hidden under thevehicle 100 so as to be superimposed on the image of the vehicle 100 onthe output unit 30 on the overhead view image. A previously preparedimage of the power transmission device or an image captured before thepower transmission device is hidden under the vehicle 100 may be used asthe image of the power transmission device 200. In this example, thecontroller 11 frequently acquires a movement direction and a movementdistance of the vehicle 100 from the information acquirer 12.Accordingly, the controller 11 may calculate the position of the powertransmission device 200 even though the power transmission device 200 isnot seen on the overhead view image. The information acquirer 12 maycalculate the movement direction and the movement distance of thevehicle 100 by acquiring the speed or the steering angle of the vehiclefrom the speed sensor or the handle of the vehicle unit 50. The movementdirection and the movement distance may be calculated by the controller11.

The controller 11 may predict the direction and the distance (movementdirection and movement distance) in which the vehicle 100 moves in aprocessing delay time from a time when the original image of theoverhead view image displayed on the output unit 30 is captured to adisplay time (current time) of a combined image, and may correct thedisplay position of the power transmission device 200 based on theprediction. The direction and the distance in which the vehicle 100moves are easily acquired from the vehicle speed or the steering angleof the vehicle 100. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a shiftbetween the position of the power transmission device 200 on the screenby the processing delay time of the image and the actual position of thepower transmission device 200.

In S109, the controller 11 outputs notification based on chargingefficiency in the current position of the power transmission device 200to the driver (user) of the vehicle 100. In this example, the controller11 acquires a distance between the position (the central position of thepower transmission coil) of the power transmission device 200 displayedon the overhead view image and the position (the central position of thepower reception coil) of the power reception unit 20 of the vehicle 100.The charging efficiency is a function of the distance. The longer thedistance is, the lower the charging efficiency is. For example, thecharging efficiency is in inverse proportion to the distance. Thus, thecontroller 11 may acquire the charging efficiency from the distance. Thepower reception unit 20 may communicate with the power transmissiondevice 200, and thus, the controller 11 may measure the chargingefficiency between the power reception unit 20 and the powertransmission device 200. The controller 11 changes the color of thepower transmission device 200 on the overhead view image based on thecharging efficiency. In a case where the charging efficiency is lessthan a first predetermined value, the controller 11 sets the color ofthe power transmission device 200 to red. The charging efficiency isequal to or greater than the first predetermined value, and thus, thecontroller 11 gradually changes the color of the power transmissiondevice 200 from red to yellow and green as the value becomes greater. Ina case where the charging efficiency becomes higher and the chargingefficiency is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value(>first predetermined value), the controller 11 sets the color of thepower transmission device 200 to green. That is, the controller outputsinformation indicating that the vehicle is positioned in an optimumcharging position. Accordingly, the driver (user) of the vehicle 100 mayimprove the charging efficiency of the battery by parking the vehiclesuch that the color of the power transmission device on the overheadview image is green. The display form of the power transmission device200 displayed on the output unit 30 is changed depending on the chargingefficiency, and thus, the driver of the vehicle 100 may recognize thecharging efficiency in the current position of the power transmissiondevice 200.

In S110, the controller 11 determines whether or not the system of thevehicle 100 is powered off. In a case where the system is powered off(S110, YES), the operation flow of FIGS. 3 and 4 is ended. In a casewhere the system is powered off (S110: NO), the process is returned toS101.

Although the charging efficiency is acquired and the color of the powertransmission device 200 is changed to the color depending on thecharging efficiency in S109, a case where the charging efficiency isacquired is synonymous with a case where the distance between theposition (for example, the central position of the power transmissioncoil) of the power transmission device 200 and the position (forexample, the central position of the power reception coil) of the powerreception unit 20 of the vehicle 100 is acquired. That is, since thereis one to one correspondence between the charging efficiency and thedistance, the distance is acquired, and thus, the color of the powertransmission device 200 may be changed based on the distance. Forexample, the controller 11 sets the color of the power transmissiondevice 200 to red in a case where the distance is equal to or greaterthan a first predetermined distance. In a case where the distance isless than the first predetermined distance and the distance becomesshorter, the controller 11 gradually changes the color of the powertransmission device 200 from red to yellow and green. In a case wherethe distance becomes shorter and the distance is equal to or less than asecond predetermined distance (<first predetermined distance), thecontroller 11 sets the color of the power transmission device 200 togreen. Accordingly, the driver (user) of the vehicle 100 may improve thecharging efficiency of the battery by parking the vehicle such that thecolor of the power transmission device on the overhead view image isgreen. In the following description, the charging efficiency may also besimilarly changed to the distance between the power transmission device200 and the power reception unit 20.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to the embodiment. In FIGS. 5 to7, a border line indicating the parking space, the vehicle 100, and thepower transmission device 200 are depicted. The vehicle 100 is about tobe parked in the parking space indicated by the border line. The powertransmission device 200 is present in the parking space. Arrow in eachdiagram indicates a movement direction of the vehicle 100. The vehicle100 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is an image previously stored in the storageunit, and the image of the vehicle 100 is displayed so as to besuperimposed on the overhead view image generated based on the capturedimage. The power transmission device 200 of FIG. 5 is an actual image,and the power transmission device 200 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is an imagestored in the storage unit. In FIG. 5, the vehicle 100 moves backwardsand approaches the power transmission device 200. In FIG. 6, the vehicle100 moves backwards from the state of FIG. 5, and a part of the powertransmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100. However, thepower transmission device 200 is displayed so as to be superimposed onthe vehicle 100 on the overhead view image. Since the chargingefficiency is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value orthe distance between the power transmission device 200 and the powerreception unit 20 is equal to or less than the first predetermineddistance, the power transmission device 200 is displayed in yellow. InFIG. 7, the vehicle 100 further moves backwards from the state of FIG.6, and the power transmission device 200 is completely hidden under thevehicle 100. However, the power transmission device 200 is displayed soas to be superimposed on the vehicle 100 on the overhead view image.Since the charging efficiency is equal to or greater than the secondpredetermined value or the distance between the power transmissiondevice 200 and the power reception unit 20 is equal to or less than thesecond predetermined distance, the power transmission device 200 isdisplayed in green. The driver of the vehicle 100 may charge the batterywith high charging efficiency by stopping the vehicle 100 in thisposition (the optimum position for charging). A surrounding overheadview image of the vehicle is frequently updated for a period duringwhich the obstacle is detected and the vehicle is positioned in thepower transmission device, and a current surrounding situation isdisplayed in real time. Accordingly, the user can guide the vehicle tothe position of the power transmission device 200 while ascertaining thesurrounding situation. The movement of the vehicle with respect to thepower transmission device 200 may be manual driving of the driver or maybe automatic driving of the vehicle. In a case where the driverautomatically parks the vehicle, the vehicle is controlled such that thevehicle stops in a position which is an optimum position on the powertransmission device 200 within a parking area as a parking optimumposition.

Modification Example 1

In S109, the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed on theoverhead view image is changed depending on the charging efficiency, andthus, it is possible to easily recognize the charging efficiency. Inthis example, the size of the power transmission device 200 displayed onthe overhead view image is changed depending on the charging efficiency,and thus, it is possible to easily recognize the charging efficiency.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 1. InFIGS. 8 to 10, a border line indicating the parking space, the vehicle100, and the power transmission device 200 are depicted. The vehicle 100is about to be parked in the parking space indicated by the border line.The power transmission device 200 is present in the parking space. Arrowin each diagram indicates a movement direction of the vehicle 100. InFIG. 8, the vehicle 100 moves backwards, and approaches the powertransmission device 200. In FIG. 9, the vehicle 100 moves backwards fromthe state of FIG. 8, and a part of the power transmission device 200 ishidden under the vehicle 100. However, the power transmission device 200is displayed so as to be superimposed on the vehicle 100 on the overheadview image. Since the charging efficiency is equal to or greater thanthe first predetermined value, the power transmission device 200 isdisplayed so as to be larger than that of FIG. 8. In FIG. 10, thevehicle 100 further moves backwards from the state of FIG. 9, and thepower transmission device 200 is completely hidden under the vehicle100. However, the power transmission device 200 is displayed so as to besuperimposed on the vehicle 100 on the overhead view image. Since thecharging efficiency is equal to or greater than the second predeterminedvalue, the power transmission device 200 is displayed so as to belarger. In this example, the driver of the vehicle 100 may charge thebattery with high charging efficiency by stopping the vehicle 100.

The controller 11 may expand or contract the display of the overheadview image such that the position (the central position of the powertransmission coil) of the power transmission device 200 and the position(the central position of the power reception coil) of the powerreception unit 20 do not move on the overhead view image. Accordingly,as the power transmission device 200 further approaches the vehicle 100,the entire display is displayed so as to be expanded. The driver of thevehicle 100 may charge the battery with high charging efficiency bystopping the vehicle 100 in a state in which the overhead view image isexpanded.

Modification Example 2

In S109, the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed on theoverhead view image is changed depending on the charging efficiency, andthus, it is possible to easily recognize the charging efficiency. Inthis example, the color and size of the power transmission device 200displayed on the overhead view image are changed depending on thecharging efficiency, and thus, it is possible to easily recognize thecharging efficiency.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of the overhead view imagedisplayed on the output unit according to Modification Example 2. InFIGS. 11 to 13, a border line indicating the parking space, the vehicle100, and the power transmission device 200 are depicted. The vehicle 100is about to be parked in the parking space indicated by the border line.The power transmission device 200 is present in the parking space. Arrowin each diagram indicates a movement direction of the vehicle 100. InFIG. 11, the vehicle 100 moves backwards, and approaches the powertransmission device 200. In FIG. 12, the vehicle 100 moves backwardsfrom the state of FIG. 11, and a part of the power transmission device200 is hidden under the vehicle 100. However, the power transmissiondevice 200 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the vehicle 100 onthe overhead view image. Since the charging efficiency is equal to orgreater than the first predetermined value, the power transmissiondevice 200 is displayed so as to be larger than that of FIG. 11, and isdisplayed in yellow. In FIG. 13, the vehicle 100 further moves backwardsfrom the state of FIG. 12, and the power transmission device 200 iscompletely hidden under the vehicle 100. However, the power transmissiondevice 200 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the vehicle 100 onthe overhead view image. Since the charging efficiency is equal to orgreater than the second predetermined value, the power transmissiondevice 200 is displayed so as to be larger, and is displayed in green.The driver of the vehicle 100 can more easily recognize a position(optimum position for charging) having high charging efficiency.

Modification Example 3

In S109, the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed on theoverhead view image is changed depending on the charging efficiency, andthus, it is possible to easily recognize the charging efficiency. Inthis example, the controller 11 may easily recognize the chargingefficiency by changing sound output from the speaker of the output unit30 depending on the charging efficiency. Accordingly, the driver of thevehicle 100 can easily recognize the charging efficiency even withoutseeing the display. In this case, the controller 11 and the imagerecognizer 13 may not display and may not generate the overhead viewimage.

Modification Example 4

In S109, the color of the power transmission device 200 displayed on theoverhead view image is changed depending on the charging efficiency, andthus, it is possible to easily recognize the charging efficiency. Thecharging efficiency is maximized in a case where the power receptionunit 20 of the vehicle 100 and the power transmission device 200 areclosest. In this example, the position of the power transmission device200 displayed on the overhead view image and the position of the powerreception unit 20 of the vehicle 100 are displayed, and thus, the driverof the vehicle 100 may easily drive the vehicle such that the powerreception unit 20 of the vehicle 100 approaches the power transmissiondevice 200. Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle 100 can easilyrecognize the charging efficiency depending on the distance between theposition of the power transmission device 200 and the position of thepower reception unit 20 of the vehicle 100.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are diagrams showing a modification example of theoverhead view image displayed on the output unit according to theembodiment. In FIGS. 14 to 16, a border line indicating the parkingspace, the vehicle 100, and the power transmission device 200 aredepicted. A predetermined mark (black circle mark) is depicted in thecenter of the power transmission device 200. The position of the powerreception unit 20 is represented in the vehicle 100 by a predeterminedmark 20A (X mark). The vehicle 100 is about to be parked in the parkingspace indicated by the border line. The power transmission device 200 ispresent in the parking space. Arrow in each diagram indicates a movementdirection of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 14, the vehicle 100 movesbackwards, and approaches the power transmission device 200. In FIG. 15,the vehicle 100 moves backwards from the state of FIG. 14, and a part ofthe power transmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100.However, the power transmission device 200 is displayed so as to besuperimposed on the vehicle 100 on the overhead view image. Apredetermined mark (black circle) is depicted in the center of the powertransmission device 200. The position of the power reception unit 20 ofthe vehicle 100 is depicted by the predetermined mark 20A. The drivermay park the vehicle 100 in a position having high power receptionefficiency by operating the vehicle 100 such that the center of thepower transmission device 200 is overlapped with the center of thepredetermined mark 20A of the power reception unit 20. In FIG. 16, thevehicle 100 further moves backwards from the state of FIG. 15, and thepower transmission device 200 is completely hidden under the vehicle100. However, the power transmission device 200 is displayed so as to besuperimposed on the vehicle 100 on the overhead view image. Thepredetermined mark 20A indicating the position of the power receptionunit 20 of the vehicle 100 is displayed so as to be superimposed on thevehicle 100 on the overhead view image. The driver of the vehicle 100may charge the battery with high charging efficiency by stopping thevehicle 100 such that the center of the power transmission device 200matches the center of the power reception unit 20 (the predeterminedmark of the power transmission device 200 is aligned with thepredetermined mark 20A of the power reception unit 20). The driverdrives the vehicle while checking the predetermined mark indicating thepower transmission device 200 displayed on the output unit 30 and thepredetermined mark 20A indicating the power reception unit 20, and thus,the power transmission device 200 and the power reception unit 20 can beeasily aligned.

Although it has been described in Modification Example 4 that the powertransmission device 200 and the mark 20A indicating the position of thepower reception unit 20 are displayed, the color or size (including themark or shape) of the power transmission device 200 may be changeddepending on the charging efficiency or the color or size (including themark or shape) of the mark 20A indicating the position of the powerreception unit 20 may be changed depending on the charging efficiency,as in the embodiment. That is, the color or size (including the mark orshape) of at least one of the power transmission device 200 and the mark20A indicating the position of the power reception unit 20 may bechanged depending on the charging efficiency.

Others

In the above-described operation flows, after a part of the powertransmission device 200 is hidden under the vehicle 100 on the overheadview image, the charging efficiency is acquired, and the notificationdepending on the charging efficiency is output. In this example, in acase where the obstacle is detected in S103, the controller determineswhether or not the obstacle is the power transmission device 200,calculates the charging efficiency even though the power transmissiondevice 200 is not hidden under the vehicle 100 on the overhead viewimage, and outputs the notification depending on the chargingefficiency. Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle 100 can recognize thecharging efficiency at an earlier stage.

The detected obstacle may be displayed so as to be highlighted on theoverhead view image. The detected obstacle may be highlighted bythickening the contour of the obstacle or blinking the obstacle. Theobstacle is displayed so as to be highlighted, thus, the driver of thevehicle 100 easily recognizes the obstacle. The power transmissiondevice 200 may not be displayed so as to be highlighted. Only the powertransmission device 200 among the obstacles may be displayed so as to behighlighted. The power transmission device 200 is differently displayed,and thus, the driver easily recognizes the power transmission device200.

In a case where the power transmission device 200 is buried in theground, since the power transmission device 200 is integrated with theground, the power transmission device is not recognized as the obstacle.In this case, the controller 11 detects the power transmission device200 by recognizing the predetermined mark on the ground indicating thatthe power transmission device 200 is buried in the ground.

Actions and Advantages of Embodiment

The charging support device 10 outputs the notification depending on thecharging efficiency corresponding to the position of the powertransmission device 200, and thus, the driver of the vehicle 100 caneasily recognize the charging efficiency. The driver can easily park thevehicle 100 in the position having high charging efficiency.

While the embodiment of the present invention has been described, theembodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is notlimited thereto. The embodiment may be variously changed based on theknowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist ofclaims. The configuration examples may be combined and implemented asmuch as possible.

Computer-Readable Recording Medium

A program causing a computer, another machine, or another device(hereinafter, referred to as a computer or the like) to realize any ofthe above-described functions may be recorded in a recording mediumreadable by the computer or the like. The program of the recordingmedium is read into and is executed in the computer or the like, andthus, the function may be provided.

The recording medium readable by the computer or the like is a recordingmedium that may accumulate information items such as data items orprograms by an electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemicalaction and may read by the computer or the like. Elements such as theCPU and the memory constituting the computer may be provided in therecording medium, and the program may be executed by the CPU.

For example, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R/W,DVD, DAT, 8-mm tape, or a memory card is used as the recording mediumcapable of being detached from the computer or the like.

A hard disk or ROM is used as the recording medium fixed to the computeror the like.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, theforegoing description is in all aspects illustrative and notrestrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous othermodifications and variations can be devised without departing from thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charging support device comprising: acontroller that (A) acquires (i) an image which is captured by animaging unit which captures a surrounding area of a vehicle so as toinclude a power transmission device which supplies a power to thevehicle in a non-contact manner, and (ii) a movement direction and amovement distance of the vehicle, (B) detects a position of the powertransmission device based on the image, the movement direction, and themovement distance, (C) calculates a charging efficiency based on adistance between (1) a position of a power reception unit which isincluded in the vehicle and that is configured to receive the power fromthe power transmission device and (2) the position of the powertransmission device, and (D) outputs a notification based on thecalculated charging efficiency to an output unit, wherein thenotification includes changing a color or a size of an image of thepower transmission device that is displayed as part of an overhead viewimage in which the image of the power transmission device is overlaidwith an image of the vehicle, based on the charging efficiency.
 2. Thecharging support device according to claim 1, wherein the controllercalculates the position of the power transmission device based on acapturing time of the image used to generate the overhead view image, acurrent time, and the movement direction and the movement distance ofthe vehicle.
 3. A charging support device comprising: a controller that(A) acquires (i) an image which is captured by an imaging unit whichcaptures a surrounding area of a vehicle so as to include a powertransmission device which supplies power to the vehicle in a non-contactmanner and (ii) a movement direction and a movement distance of thevehicle, (B) detects a position of the power transmission device basedon the image, the movement direction, and the movement distance, (C)calculates a charging efficiency, and (D) outputs a notification basedon the calculated charging efficiency to an output unit, wherein thenotification includes changing a color or a size of an image of thepower transmission device that is displayed as part of an overhead viewimage in which the image of the power transmission device is overlaidwith an image of the vehicle, based on the charging efficiency.
 4. Thecharging support device according to claim 3, wherein the controllercalculates the charging efficiency based on communication between thepower reception unit and the power transmission device.
 5. The chargingsupport device according to claim 3, wherein the charging efficiency isone in a range of charging efficiencies and the notification is of theone in the range of charging efficiencies to the exclusion of othercharging efficiencies in the range of charging efficiencies.
 6. Thecharging support device according to claim 1, wherein: the overhead viewimage includes a first mark indicating a position of the power receptionunit and a second mark indicating a position of the power transmissionunit; and the first and second marks indicate central positions of thepower reception unit and the power transmission device, respectively. 7.The charging support device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerrecognizes the position of the power transmission device from the imagecaptured by the imaging unit before the power transmission device ishidden under the vehicle.
 8. The charging support device according toclaim 1, wherein the controller displays an image of the powertransmission device in the overhead view image by overlaying the imageof the power transmission device with the vehicle image when at least aportion of the power transmission device is beneath the vehicle.
 9. Avehicle system comprising: the charging support device according toclaim 1; the power reception unit is located on a bottom surface of thevehicle, the power reception unit configured to be supplied with powerin a non-contact manner from the power transmission device locatedoutside the vehicle, so as to charge a battery of the vehicle; and adisplay.